After coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers for the last 19 seasons, head coach Mike Tomlin informed the team that he plans to step away.
Tomlin led Pittsburgh to 19 straight non-losing seasons and posted an overall record of 193-114-2 with a postseason record of 8-12. Tomlin led Pittsburgh to two Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl XLIII.
With Tomlin no longer leading the team, Pittsburgh will search for its fourth head coach in franchise history.
Top 3 Mike Tomlin Replacements
#1 – Arthur Smith
The Pittsburgh Steelers could decide to go with an in-house hire, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith makes a lot of sense. Smith’s offenses the last two seasons may not have put up eye-popping, top-10 numbers, but they were serviceable with Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers at the helm.
Smith also developed his top two backs, Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, into one of the best duos in the NFL.
#2 – John Harbaugh
As of right now, there are three head coaching vacancies in the AFC North division. The Baltimore Ravens fired John Harbaugh after missing the playoffs this season. Harbaugh had served as Baltimore’s head coach for the last 18 seasons. He is one of the best head coaching candidates out there and he knows the AFC North better than any free agent head coach. He could also relish the prospect of facing his former team twice a season.
#3 – Mike McCarthy
The Steelers could go with the hometown hire in former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy makes sense for a few reasons: he is from the area, has won a Super Bowl, and has familiarity with Aaron Rodgers (if the Steelers decide to retain him).
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